Be an organizing fellow: Punya Krishnappa, Summer 2008

Songs that get her fired up: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor and “Lip Gloss” by Lil Mama

A 2008 alumnus of our organizing fellows program in North Carolina, Punya Krishnappa is now the Regional Field Director in the Winston-Salem region. We sat down with her to learn more about her experience.

Want to make sure you have the President’s back this November? Apply to be an organizing fellow now.

Q: Why would you tell someone to apply to be an organizing fellow?

A: Applying to be a Fellow for the summer of 2008 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. By far. For it me was the moment that redefined what I want for the rest of my life. After I completed my organizing fellowship I truly felt respected in the community; I could hold my own ground, manage my own projects, and I was confident in the work I was doing. You are taught to create a personal network from nothing, and that’s something I don’t think I would have gained anywhere else.

Q: How did being a fellow prepare you for your current leadership role?

A: Being an organizing fellow gave me a solid foundation for understanding how to work with local communities. Relationships are such an important aspect of my career. As a fellow I cultivated lasting relationships with various community organizations and leaders that have definitely helped in my new role as a Regional Field Director in North Carolina 4 years later.

Q: What’s the best part of your job?

A: The best part of my job is that, every day I get to go to work knowing I’m helping to shape the future of our country. What could be better than that? I also work with the best staff in the country. Not a day goes by that I don’t meet someone with a powerful story that energizes my efforts to organize for the President and Democrats up and down the ticket. I honestly cannot imagine myself doing anything that’s more important than the work I am doing here in Winston-Salem for the people of North Carolina and that’s pretty cool.